THREE BIG QUESTIONS

THREE BIG QUESTIONS

Eight is Enough Series

April 28, 2019

VIDEO TEXT: John 21

CONNECT Have you ever been pulled aside for a private talk with your dad, your boss, your mentor, your good friend? I have.

In the second year of my ministry as a worship leader and youth pastor, my pastor and father in the Lord pulled me aside while we were on a youth retreat in Colorado. We went on a walk and had a long conversation; well, he did most of the talking!

He encouraged me and challenged me and let me know that he loved me and saw the Lord’s potential in me. He also let me know, in no uncertain terms, that I had to change some things in my life. It was a turning point in my life and ministry.

TENSION We all have things that we need to change. Salvation and forgiveness is a settled issue, but sanctification, or character development, is greatly needed. If we are to fulfill our potential we must change things deep in our soul.

SOLUTION It is at these times that the Lord Himself takes us aside, trains us, disciplines us, and prunes us so that we can bear more fruit.

BACKGROUND This is exactly what is happening to Peter. He had been bold in his  pronouncements of faithfulness and loyalty. But he had failed. By the time this scene rolls around, Peter and the Lord has already had a private conversation in which, I’m sure, confession and repentance were met with unmerited forgiveness.

No, this is different. The disciples were in Galilee by the Lord’s command and waiting for His next appearing. They were busy again making a living; they went fishing. Jesus interrupts the work detail with a beachside breakfast. After breakfast He talks directly to Peter. Jesus has already dealt with Peter’s past; now He will deal with his present heart and future purpose.

PRAYER

TEXT John 21:15-17 (NKJV) So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” ¹⁶ He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” ¹⁷ He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.

INSTRUCTION I want to concentrate this morning on those three big questions. It is really one question asked three times with different emphasis.

“Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”

These what? This is the crux of the question!

1.     Do you love me more than you love these boats and fish?

1 John 2:15-17 (NKJV) Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

2.     Do you love me more than you love these friends?

Matthew 10:37 (NKJV) He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.

3.     Do you love me more than these other disciples love me?

Peter has claimed he did.

Matthew 26:31-33 (NKJV) Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter answered and said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.”

Jesus told Peter what was coming. Notice he is using his old name, Simon, instead of the new name He has given him, Peter.

Luke 22:31-32 (NKJV) And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

Peter’s denial was a time of sifting to reveal what was in his heart. That’s why all testing comes; to reveal what is in our hearts.

Deuteronomy 8:2 (NKJV) And you shall remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.

Simon did return with his whole heart and led the early growth of the church. He did exactly what Jesus said he would do: strengthen the brothers. He took care of the new believers (lambs); he led the entire church (flock); he taught the individual followers. He became Peter, the Rock.

APPLICATION Is Jesus testing our hearts? Is Jesus testing our lives? Is He probing our souls with His searing light? Do these questions reveal us to us?

Let’s let the question do its work!

“Gary, do you love Me more than these?”

1.     Do you love me more than you love the things in your life?

If Jesus asked for it all, would we give it?

2.     Do you love me more than you love friends and family?

If Jesus asks us to sever a relationship, would we break it?

Alba and I lost all our friends in high school when we became Christians...

3.     Do you love me more than others love me?

Is Jesus asks for a demonstration of our love, would we do it?

Illustration: Ezekiel sign witness; carrying my guitar everywhere I went...

Can we follow the command Jesus gave Peter twice at the end of the dialogue?

“Follow Me!”

This is what Jesus told Simon when He called him; now he commands it again!

“You follow Me!”

How does this work out practically?

John 14:15 (NKJV) “If you love Me, keep My commandments.." 

INSPIRATION I preached from this passage a few years ago in a series called “LAUNCH OUT”. Here is an excerpt…

On the same beach where Jesus called Peter, Jesus called him back! There is a place of beginning again! Our greatest victories often come after our greatest defeats. During times of sifting we may feel unworthy, but Jesus sees the end from the beginning! He sees the finished product!  The gifts and callings of God are without repentance. God does not change His mind about you! He loves you and is for you!

COMMUNION